Police investigate perpetrators of Lisabata-Patahuwe clashes in Maluku
The General Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Maluku Regional Police is assisting the West Seram Regency Police (SBB) in investigating parties suspected of involvement in the clashes between residents of Lisabata Village and Patahuwe Village, Taniwel District.
The Director of General Criminal Investigation of the Maluku Regional Police, Kombes Pol Dasmin Ginting, stated that the investigation is being conducted based on facts and evidence found at the scene.
“The Criminal Investigation Unit of the SBB Police is currently working to uncover the perpetrators of this conflict. We are working based on the facts and evidence discovered in the field,” Dasmin said in Ambon on Saturday.
Dasmin arrived in the Taniwel area at approximately 06:00 WIT to provide support to the SBB Police in uncovering the series of events that occurred on Friday (11/9).
He stated that the Maluku Regional Police are providing support to ensure the investigation process remains professional and objective. According to Dasmin, any suspected criminal acts related to the clash will be processed in accordance with legal provisions.
“We do not want the law enforcement process to be built on opinions or unverified information. Everything will be investigated based on field facts, statements obtained, and evidence found by investigators,” he said.
Police have also cordoned off several locations related to the clash for the purposes of examination and investigation. The investigation is aimed at obtaining a complete picture of the chronology of events, identifying the parties involved, and gathering the necessary evidence for the law enforcement process.
Dasmin urged the public not to take the law into their own hands or spread accusations against specific parties before the investigation has gathered sufficient facts. “We ask the community not to take independent action and not to spread accusations against certain parties before the investigation process obtains enough facts. Trust the legal process to the police,” he said.
Previously, the clash between residents of Patahuwe Village and Lisabata Village occurred on Friday (11/9) after a land fire incident escalated into tensions between the residents of the two villages.
According to initial police reports, 27 houses and one motorcycle were burnt, while four residents were reported injured by air gun shots. As of Saturday, police stated that the security situation in the Taniwel area is safe and under control, while the investigation into the series of events is ongoing.